| Booking travel online is big business these | | | | TRANSFER FEES |
| days and on the plus side puts a lot of power | | | | |
| in the hands of the consumer to reserve their | | | | Booking travel online at travel web sites |
| own travel arrangements. But it's critical | | | | usually involves a service fee. In most |
| you know 5 things to get the best deal and | | | | instances it's not outrageous and is usually |
| discount available. So before you begin your | | | | around $5 per ticket or booking. Recently, |
| travel research and booking online read this | | | | I've seen some fees nudging up around $20 and |
| article. | | | | there's no need to pay that much. But the |
| | | | fees to be aware of are transfer fees when |
| ALL TRAVEL WEB SITES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL | | | | you change itinerary or cancel. It can cost |
| | | | you $100 or more to change after you've |
| When booking travel online they're two types | | | | booked a flight. And if you want a refund, |
| you can use: the traditional travel web sites | | | | then it can be very frustrating, as you'll |
| such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity, and | | | | likely spend hours on the phone to get to |
| what are being called these days Travel | | | | somebody who can authorize it. |
| Search Engines, which include SideStep and | | | | |
| Kayak. | | | | The travel search engines make money from |
| | | | paid advertising and a referral fee from the |
| The main difference is in the search | | | | airlines or hotels, so usually you don't pay |
| capability. A travel web site like Orbitz | | | | a fee when using them to book. But this is |
| only searches its own database of available | | | | changing so always check for fee disclosure |
| flights, hotel rooms, and car rentals. So the | | | | before booking. |
| search is restrictive. But you'll get more | | | | |
| search features and booking travel services | | | | Generally, the fees should never be hidden |
| offered at these sites. | | | | from you, but in a rush to book you may |
| | | | easily overlook a charge that wasn't obvious |
| At travel search engines such as SideStep, | | | | before. The profit margins for online travel |
| the results will include selections from | | | | sites are low, and they can be very creative |
| airline sites, travel web sites, and other | | | | in their fee structure if you don't pay close |
| databases containing flight, room and car | | | | attention. |
| rental availability. The drawback is a more | | | | |
| "spartan" search capability, and you won't | | | | THE HIDDEN LINK THAT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY |
| get many of the cool features you'll find at | | | | |
| a travel web site. | | | | Many of the travel web sites have a link on |
| | | | their page that allows you to become part of |
| IT REALLY DOES PAY TO COMPARE AS MANY AND AS | | | | their affiliate program for no cost. It's |
| OFTEN AS YOU CAN | | | | usually at the bottom and not obvious. By |
| | | | becoming an affiliate you can earn a small |
| If you want the cheapest fare or room, always | | | | commission for everybody you refer to them |
| check out multiple sites before booking | | | | that purchases a ticket, reserves a room, or |
| travel online. Many travel web sites | | | | rents a car. |
| negotiate and purchase large blocks of fares | | | | |
| and rooms directly from airlines and hotels, | | | | But before you rush out and quit your day job |
| and then pass the savings onto consumers. But | | | | and set yourself up as a home-based travel |
| because the reduction varies between sites, | | | | agent, be aware you'll have to send thousands |
| the quoted rate for the same seat on a | | | | of people to make any decent money. But |
| flight, or room in a hotel, can vary | | | | there's an even better reason to become an |
| dramatically... and many times from | | | | affiliate. As an affiliate most sites will |
| day-to-day. So it not only pays to check and | | | | allow you to purchase your own tickets and |
| compare other sites, but if you've the time, | | | | still get paid the commission. It's |
| to do it often. | | | | effectively a discount. Be sure to check the |
| | | | fine print on the agreement just so you're |
| TRAVEL WEB SITES DON'T ALWAYS GET THE BEST | | | | familiar with the restrictions if any, and |
| DEAL | | | | how they'll pay you. But if you do a lot of |
| | | | booking travel online then check it out to |
| Because of the competitiveness of the travel | | | | see if it'll work for you. |
| industry these days here's another worthwhile | | | | |
| step to take before you press that "submit" | | | | The travel industry continues to adjust to |
| button at your chosen online booking site... | | | | the advantages of the Internet. Billions of |
| hop over for a final check at the airline, | | | | dollars have been invested in online travel |
| hotel, or car rental company web site for any | | | | booking systems, and new players continue to |
| special offers or lower rates you may get if | | | | enter the market every year. Armed with these |
| you book directly. Sometimes the best deals | | | | tips you'll be better prepared to navigate |
| are reserved for their own online customers | | | | through the maze to the very best deal for |
| or preferred clients, and you'll even avoid | | | | you. And there's still that travel agent in |
| fees. | | | | the mall if you just can't be bothered with |
| | | | the whole game of booking travel online. |
| BEWARE OF TRAVEL WEB SITE SERVICE AND | | | | |